Moraga, CA (Sports Network) - Omar Samhan notched a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Saint Mary's Gaels past the San Diego Toreros, 65-61, in West Coast Conference play at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga.
Diamon Simpson scored nine points and hauled in 12 rebounds for SMC (21-5, 8-4 WCC), which won its second game in a row.
Gyno Pomare led San Diego (13-14, 5-7) and all scorers with 25 points and eight boards in the losing effort.
The Gaels led by as many as seven points early on, but the Toreros gabbed a 32-30 lead after making five of their final seven shots of the half. Simpson nailed a long jumper at the buzzer for SMC, sending the teams into the break knotted at 32-32.
SMC took control with a 13-4 spurt in the second stanza and held off San Diego for the four-point win.
The triumph kept the Gaels just a half-game back of Portland for second-place and a fist-round bye in the upcoming WCC Tournament.
